other colonists in opposing the british parliament ' s attempts to tax them , and militia recruitment increased when word arrived of the april 1775 battles of lexington and concord . throughout 1775 and into 1776 , militia recruits arrived in the city from the colony ' s back ##co ##unt ##ry , the city ' s manufacturers and trades ##men began producing war mater ##iel , and defensive fortifications began to take shape around the city . = = = british operations = = = british army forces in north america were primarily tied up with the siege of boston in 1775 . seeking bases of operations where they had more control , the british planned an expedition to the southern colonies . major general henry clinton
other colonists in opposing the british parliament's attempts to tax them, and militia recruitment increased when word arrived of the april 1775 battles of lexington and concord. throughout 1775 and into 1776, militia recruits arrived in the city from the colony's backcountry, the city's manufacturers and tradesmen began producing war materiel, and defensive fortifications began to take shape around the city. = = = british operations = = = british army forces in north america were primarily tied up with the siege of boston in 1775. seeking bases of operations where they had more control, the british planned an expedition to the southern colonies. major general henry clinton